California is counting the wrong ballots.
Sometimes voters get two ballots in the mail. On occasion, they get three. And sometimes voters submit more than one.
So what happens? Only one ballot counts of course. In California, the rule is: the first ballot that is submitted is the one that counts. Everything that comes in later doesn’t count.
That’s the opposite of how it should work.
Because you should be able to change your mind when casting a ballot.
Think about the context. We don’t have an Election Day anymore. We have elections that go on for weeks. More and more voters cast ballots by mail, or vote early at voting centers.
Let’s say you vote, and then new information comes out about a candidate or a. ballot measures that changes your mind. Why shouldn’t you be able to vote a. second time, and cancel your first ballot?
Yes, that adds to the costs and complexity and time it takes to count ballots. But you know what? California already takes a long time to count ballots. And we’ve prioritized giving people more time and opportunities over getting quick results. That’s the right call.
So there’s no good reason not to count the last ballot you submit, not the first.